Organic Compounds Similar To Coal Found In Star Dust
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - 17:10
in Physics & Chemistry
Astronomers are reporting that organic compounds of unexpected complexity exist throughout the Universe - which mean they can be made naturally by stars.Researchers write in Nature that an organic substance commonly found throughout the Universe contains a mixture of aromatic (ring-like) and aliphatic (chain-like) components, compounds so complex that their chemical structures resemble those of coal and petroleum. Since coal and oil are remnants of ancient life, this type of organic matter was thought to arise only from living organisms but this new discovery suggests that complex organic compounds can be synthesized in space - even when no life forms are present. read more